Natasha Akpoti Walks Free on Bail as Court Dismisses Remand Plea
Justice Chizoba Orji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted bail to the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the ongoing defamation case filed against her by the Federal Government.
In the ruling delivered on Thursday, June 19, the judge set bail at ₦50 million and ruled that the lawmaker must produce one surety of integrity who owns landed property in Abuja.
The court rejected the prosecution’s request to have the senator remanded in prison custody pending trial. Justice Orji emphasized that there was no reason to deny bail, pointing out that Akpoti-Uduaghan had demonstrated readiness to face trial.
The bail ruling was based on provisions of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The senator is being prosecuted for allegedly making defamatory claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, accusing them of plotting to assassinate her.
The case has been adjourned to September 23 for the commencement of trial.
